Dark-eyed Junco

by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, Earthwatcher, Fujifilm Cameras, Georgia, nature, Nature Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography
Bird. Dark-eyed Junco of Oregon subspecies, on the ground, with a sunflower see in its beak. The bird has a light gray beak, a black neck and head, rusty orange back, transitioning to light orange then very light gray on its breast. Its tail feathers are dark. There is a brown pine cone with red protrusions, on the ground, in the foreground.
Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon Group
Bellevue, Washington, USA; JAN 2023
Bird. Dark-eyed Junco of Slate-gray subspecies. The bird is perched on a tree branch with green leaves. The background is a variegated brown. The bird has a light pink beak, black head, neck and back with very light gray breast.
Dark-eyed Junco, Slate Gray Group
Roswell, Georgia, USA; DEC 2021

There are 2 subspecies of the Dark-eyed Junco: Slate-gray and Oregon. You can see the difference in their pictures. During the winter migration, the Slate-gray subspecies ranges across the continental USA while the Oregon subspecies is primarily in the western half of the continental USA. They are primarily ground feeders.

We visited Seattle over the Christmas holiday period, and I was excited to see the Oregon birds. Here in the Atlanta area, we see the Slate-gray birds. The Oregon birds were winter residents in our Sacramento backyard when we lived there. I think the Oregon bird is prettier, but I really like them both.

There is an interesting evolutionary change happening to some Oregon Juncos. Some of the birds have given up life in the boreal forests and have settled full time in Southern California. Scientists are studying them to determine why. I think I’d make that choice too.

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